A MAN sparked a fight at a Southampton pub before hurling racist abuse at a member of staff.

Billy Terrance Haynes pushed and shoved employees at the Standing Order after being confronted about his behaviour, a court heard.

The 35-year-old is said to have smashed a pint glass down onto the bar at the watering hole in the High Street.

With “eyes wide open” he screamed and swore and staff feared they were going to be punched.

However, another customer “took matters into his own hands” and threatened Haynes of Havendale, Hedge End.

The two started fighting, and the staff tried to restrain Haynes. He was then taken to the ground near the entrance of the pub.

While being held on the floor, Haynes complained that his ankle hurt and racially abused one of the men pinning him down.

He was detained in a police van but later hurled racist insults at an officer.

A panel at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, heard how earlier in the day he swore at a barman after being not told to use a fruit machine because of Covid rules. He left the pub but returned after realising he had lost his phone.

Defending, Will Day said his client was “very remorseful and apologises to those people involved.”

He said that following lockdown, Haynes had drunk too much.

Haynes claimed that he had been punched in the face by another customer and wanted to find his phone because it had photos of his children on it. He was charged with three counts of assault by beating and two counts of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress - one of which was racially aggravated - to which he pleaded guilty.

He is due to be sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on April 6.